Film rewind take-up



Nov. 5, 1957 .B. J. KLEERUP 2,812,177

FILM REWIND TAKE-UP Filed- March 17, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

with the fingers.

United States Patent Patented Nov. 5, 19 57 ice FILM REWIND TAKE-UP Bertel J. Kleerup, Kenilworth, 111., assignor to Society for Visual Education, Inc.,' Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application March 17, 1954, Serial No. 416,929 6 Claims. (Cl. 271-219) This invention relates to film take-ups for film strip projectors, and more particularly to film rewind take-ups in which a film strip is taken up and wound in condition for storing in standard containers or for immediate reshowing as a single operation while the film is being projected.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application, Serial No. 289,071, filed May 21, 1952, now abandoned.

In my Patent No. 2,113,845, I disclosed a film rewind take-up in which a specially designed container having a post fixed to the rear wall thereof and extending. forwardly was releasably received within a sleeve fixed to the guide structure. The post and sleeve provided a guide in the central portion of the container and a means for supporting and permitting rotation of the container as film was fed into the container. It was hoped that containers would be manufactured with the post equipment, etc. I so as to permit handling of the fihn. However, the expense of the special container and certain disadvantages which developed prevented this possibility and the practice has been to remove the container after the film has been rolled therein and then replace it within a standard can or container. For the type of can which came into use, it was found extremely difilcult to insert ones finger into the can equipped with the post or stake in order to remove it. With the smaller sized cans, this was impossible. With the oversized cans, removal could be eifected, but pressure upon the film and frictional engagement therewith with the can surfaces were increased, causing wear and often damage to the film. Fingerprinting and other soiling of the film makes the film less desirable for projection purposes and causes deterioration of the film due to the salt from humid hands causing a corrosive action thereon. Further, as the film passes along the film track into the rewind take-up, it quite often strikes the post, causing resistance to the passage of the film, and it has been necessary at times to twirl the can in order to facilitate the passage of the film into the can. Moreover, the post often bends under the hard usage given it in schools and churches, and as a result the film is sometimes jammed in the projector and damage-d by tearing sprocket holes, creating buckles, and otherwise snarling the operation of the film strip projector. The varying peculiarities and properties of diiferent kinds of film further aggravate the situation since films have varying densities, moisture content, and are sometimes wound loosely and at other times tightly.

There have been various proposals, in addition to my own as set out in the abovepatent, to meet the above difficulties, but to my knowledge, no one has heretofore provided a solution to the problem, a solution which will permit the use of ordinary cans (the cans in which the film is originally shipped) as a means for receiving the projected film and for rewinding the same therein so that this can may be again stored" without requiring contact In eachof the proposalsthat have been made during the intervening years, from the date of my 2 above-mentioned patent to the present time, a special container has been designed for receiving the film and it is necessary to remove the film from the special container when it is replaced in its original can for storage, etc. If a structure could be provided which would enable the projector operators in schools, churches and homes to utilize the standard cans, which are free of obstructions interiorly, for receiving the film, coiled in reverse arrangement by the film take-up so that it is ready for reuse and without requiring contact of the fingers with the film, this would represent the solution of a problem that has been pressing for many years.

An object of the present invention is to provide a structure which will solve the problem above described and which will enable the ordinary can in which a film is stored to be employed as the take-up means for housing the delivered film, so that the can maybe stored away for future use and without requiring transferof the film from one container to another. A further object is to provide take-up mechanism in which the normal shipping can of a film is utilized as the receiving receptacle for the delivered film while at the same time providing effective means for supporting the can and maintaining it in position for receiving the film. A still further object is to provide means for supporting a standard film can within a receptacle which is mounted for free rotation and which may be tilted to various positions or supported in such a manner as to facilitate the insertion or removal of the standard shipping can. Still a further object is to provide a rewind take-up in which the film-receiving container is removably carried by bearings which insure free and easy rotation of the container as the film feeds into the container, with the result that the sliding of the film over the interior of the container and the resulting damage to the film is substantially eliminated. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is shown in illustrative embodiment by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a film projector having my film rewind take-up mounted thereon; Fig. 2,

a perspective view of the rewind take-up in which the filmreceiving container is removed; Fig. 3, a side view in cross section; Fig. 4, an end view of the structure shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a top plan view in which the container is shown in cross section with a film wound therein and in which the container is spaced from the spring clip; Fig. 6, a perspective view of a film projector showing a modified form of the invention; Fig. 7, a broken perspective view of the take-up mechanism shown in Fig. 6 but with the holder structure tilted to an outer position in which the shipping can or container may be removed or readily inserted; and Fig. 8, an enlarged sectional view of the can holder and film can therein.

'1 have discovered that it is not necessary to equip the receiving can or holder with a central post or with other interior means for guiding or securing the film, and that, instead, I can utilize an ordinary shipping can in which the film is normally packaged at the factory and subsequently stored by the user and that by placing such a can freely within another receptacle, which in turn is mounted upon bearings for ready rotation, an effective rewinding, in reveise, of thefilm can'be accomplished, leaving the film deposited within the shipping can just as when it left the factory, thus obviating any need for removal of the film until eventually it is to be placed Within the projector. In my new structure, the holder is unobstructed throughout its interior so that the shipping can may be dropped into it and allowed to turn freely therein. At the same time, however, the holder itself is rotatably mounted by meanswhich do not extend into the interior. of the holder, and the holder within the magazine.

, to the projector.

is so arranged that the shipping can can with ease be placed within the same or withdrawn therefrom. With the new structure, the film meets no obstruction of any type as it enters the standard shipping can since there is no post or rib or other guide means therein and bind- ,ing of the film isprevented, as well as frictional movement of the film against the inner can surface relative thereto by the freedom of the can within the holder and the free rotationof the holder itself.

in the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, 3 film projector A, having a base in which driving motors, gears, etc., are housed, a light housing 11 mounted upon the base 10, and a film feed and driving mechanism 12, is shown. The projector has mounted thereon a knurled knob 13 which controls elevation of the forward feet 14 permitting the projector to be aligned with the propection screen. The film feed assembly 12 has a magazine 15, a film track 16, and a projection lens housing assembly 17. The lens housing 17 may be hinged to the film track 16 to permit it to be pivoted from a position adjacent the film track so that the film strip may be easily threaded through the film feed and driving mechanism 12. The magazine has a hinged upper portion 18 that may be pivoted upwardly to permit film to be placed A depending bracket 20 may be secured to the lens housing 17 by any suitable means and is effective to hold the film strip against the film track 16 when the lens housing 17 is moved into operating position adjacent the film track. A suitable mechanism controlled by the knob 21 may be included to per- .mit alignment of a film frame with the projection lens.

It is to be understood that the film feed and driving mechanism 12 includes sprocket wheels, and a driving mechanism for the sprocket wheels, for engaging the apertures in the edges of the film strip for pulling it through the projector. My film rewind take-up 22 is shown mounted upon the base 10 adjacent the lower forward end of the film track 16. My rewind take-up 22 may be used with any projector showing lengths of film strip, and the particular projector in Fig. 1 is shown for purposes of illustration only. Film projectors of the type used in combination with my invention are well known in the art and it is believed that a detailed description of such projectors is therefore unnecessary.

The film rewind take-up of my invention includes a guide 23 having spaced-apart apertures 24 at one end to provide a means for securing the film take-up to a projector. Any suitable means may be applied for mounting the film take-up on a projector, such as screws or rivets, etc., extending through the apertures 24, or the take-up may be welded or otherwise fastened The apertures 24 are counterbored to permit the head of a bolt or rivet, etc., to be carried below the surface of the guide 23. The opposite end of the guide 23 is turned slightly and is also twisted to form a helical turn 25 which is effective to change the direction of the film and also to cause the film to form a spiral or to assume a helical shape. The guide 23 is equipped with vertical side walls 26 that retain the film within the guide. If desired, the outer wall 26 may be equipped with an inwardly-turned edge 27 that will preventthe film strip from jumping or otherwise leaving the guide 23. Both of the side walls 26 may be equipped with inwardly-turned edges 27; however, this is not essential.

The helically-shaped end 25 of the guide 23 is equipped with. a flange or bracket 28. In the illustration, the flange 28 is formed integrally with the guide 23, but if desired it may be a separate part secured to the guide by any suitable means. The flange or annular bracket 28 "retain an annular or circular spring wire 31. The rim The rim 29 has an annular groove 30 29 is also equipped with a shoulder 32 adjacent the inner edge.

An antifriction bearing having an outer race 33, an inner race 34, and ball bearings 35 mounted therebetween, is positioned within the rim 29 and abuts the shoulder 32 on one side and is held in position by the spring wire 31. The outer race 33 is thereby held against rotation relative to the rim 29 by the frictional action of the shoulder 32 and the spring member 31. Any suitable bearings 35 may be employed such as the ball bearings illustrated or straight sleeve bearings, etc. An annular support member such as the cone or ring 36 is mounted upon the inner race 34 and is secured thereto by any suitable means, such as welding, to prevent a relative movement between the inner race 34 and the cone. The inner end 37 of the annular support or ring 36 is flared outwardly to provide a smooth passage over which the film may pass. It is sufficient if the bracket 28 is equipped with a bearing mounted at the bottom thereof for rotatably supporting a film-receiving container, and any arrangement may be used to releasably secure the container to the hearing.

The cone 36 is elongated to provide a forwardly-extending end or spring clip 38 having a V-shaped groove 39 and an outwardly-flared end 40. The forwardly-extending end 38 of the cone is equipped with a plurality of spaced slots 41 that permit the forwardly-extending end to be flxedoutwardly. ,The'cone 36 may be made of any ma terial that is sufficiently flexible and resilient to permit the forwardly-extending end 38 to flex outwardly to receive the open end 42 of a film-receiving container 43 While still having proper resiliency or spring to hold the open end 42 of the container securely in position. However, it is preferred that the cone 36 be made of metal. The periphery of the container 43 is equipped with a generally V-shaped groove 44 that mates with the groove 39 when the container is inserted within the forward end 38 of the cone 36.

The guide 23 may be made of any suitable material, such as plastics or metal, and may be formed by any operation, such as stamping, etc. The container 43 may also be made of plastic, metal, etc.; however, it is preferred that both the guide 23 and container 43 be constructed of metal.

The cone 36 may be equipped with a shoulder 45 against which the open edge of the container 43 abuts when it is in position within the forward end 38 of the cone. The shoulder 45 eliminates the possibility of the films being damaged by engagement with the edge of the open end 42 of the container.

Operation of structure in Figs. 1 to 5 In operation of this structure, the rewind takeaup 22 is mounted adjacent the edge of the film track 16 and as film passes through the film track it moves onto the guide 23 and forwardly thereof until the film engages the helically-shaped end 25, where it is turned slightly and twisted into a spiral or helical shape. The vertical walls 26 prevent the film from leaving the guide 23 as it moves thereon and the inwardly-turned edge 27 further insures that the film remain upon the guide. As the film reaches the forward end of the guide 23, it passes smoothly over the surface of the cone 36 in the turned and twisted condition that hasbeen imposed upon it by the forward end 25 of the guide and into the container 43. The forward edge of the film strip engages the inner surface of the container 43 and causes it to rotate in the direction in which the film is moving. The film is then wound within the container'43 with the portion of the film first entering the container being adjacent the surface of the container and the portion of the film subsequently entering being wound interiorly of the first portion of the film. It is seen that the film is thereby wound in a reverse manner and it is ready for immediate reshowing without first having to be rewound.

The container 43 is securely held by the forwardlyextending or spring clip end 38 of the cone 36 and relative movement therebetween is prevented. The cone 36 is secured to the inner race 34 which rotates ,freely upon the bearings 35. Thus, the container 43 is freely rotatable with respect to the guide 23 and with respect to the flange 28 and rim 29. The container is easily forced to rotate when the leading edge of the film strip first engages the inner surface of the container, and relative movement between the two and the damage to the film which would result from scuffing and scraping of the film against the surface of the container is thereby prevented. It is to be noted that the interior of the container 43 is completely free of obstructions that might damage the film as .it passes from the guide and into wound condition within the container. Yet, the container is snugly and firmly held in place by the spring action of the forward end 38 of the cone, and the container is readily removed or replaced in position within the forward end 38 by simply applying a pulling force to the container to remove it or by applying a slight force against the container and in the direction of the flange to replace it.

The container 43 into which the film is wound may be provided with a cap or cover that may be placed about the open end 42 to seal the film from dust and dirt, etc., while the film is being stored within the container. The absence of obstructions within the interior of the container permits the wound film to be easily removed therefrom when it is desired to place it Within the magazine of a projector for reshowing. It is seen that the film rewind take-up of my invention is simple in design and inexpensive to produce, while it may also be easily mounted upon any projector.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, a projector B is equipped with a film holder 50 and with film guide means 51 controlled by a knob 52. A lens housing 53 is hinged along one side. The projector mechanism is equipped with the usual driving mechanism, including sprocket wheels for engaging the apertures in the edges of the film strip. Since such structure is well known, a detailed description herein is believed unnecessary.

Secured to the base portion of the projector is a film rewind take-up guide 54, having near the outer end thereof a twisted or curved portion 55 for causing the film to form a spiral or helical shape. Welded to the lower side portion of the member 55 is a support 56 providing spaced arms 57 and 58, between which is pivotally mounted an arm 59 carried by pivot pin 60. The pivot arm 59 is provided at its outer end with a hub 61 provided interiorly with antifriction bearings 62 receiving a shaft 63 secured at its inner end to a holder or receptacle 64. Within the receptacle 64 is the standard shipping or storing can 65, which consists simply of an open, unobstructed container usually formed of metal and having a friction cap or lid. Such containers are extremely inexpensive and are, therefore, practical for the storing of film in large quantities and in suitable cabinets, etc.

The film rewind take-up parts 54 and 55 may be formed as described in detail in connection with the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the purpose thereof being to receive and turn the film so that it is fed into the container in a helical shape with the film first engaging the surface of the side walls of the can interior, and with the succeeding coils of the film folding inside each other.

Any pivotal support for the holder 64 may be provided, the holder being swiveled or hinged so that the receptacle will swing preferably to a tilted position in which the open end of the holder extends slightly upwardly in a position for conveniently receiving the can when it is inserted and for permitting removal of the can when it is to be with drawn.

' 6 Operation of structure shown in Figs; 6 8 In the operation of the structure shown in Figs. 6'to 8, inclusive, the film is fed downwardly through the projector in the usual manner and the delivered end of the film is guided by the parts 54 and 55 so as to deliver the film into the container 65 which had previously been inserted within the receptacle 64. As the film is fed forwardly, the receptacle 64 rotates freely upon the bearing 62 while at the same time the loosely-received shipping can 65 is free to yield under any irregular movement of the film to accommodate itself thereto. Withtliis structure, it is found that there is no binding or jamming of the film and no need for the operator to twirl the film, as has heretofore been necessary at times in order to facilitate the passage of the film into the container. After the shipping can has been filled with the film, the receptacle 64 may be swung outwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 7, and the can 65 may then be removed and the lid thereof placed in position. The film which has thus received no contact with the fingers, may be stored away until a later period when its use is desired. If desired, the holder 64 may be used as a receptacle for the film itself and in the tilted position shown, provides a position for ready removal of the film. For the purposes already outlined, however, I prefer to employ the original can 65 for the purpose of receiving the film because of the advantages in the rewinding operation wherein the can 65 may move relative to the rotatable holder 64 and also to avoid any touching of the film with the fingers of the operator. 7

While, in the foregoing specification, I have set forth various structures in considerable detail for the purpose of illustrating embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that such details of structure may be varied widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In combination with a film rewind take-up having a guide which is twisted to bend the delivered portion of the film into a helical shape, a holder receptacle rotatably supported adjacent the outlet of said guide, and a can having a closed bottom but otherwise open throughout and having its side walls received within said receptacle and with the open end thereof facing toward the outlet of said guide to receive said film.

2. In combination with a film rewind take-up having a film guide turned to deliver the film in a coiled shape, a support carried by said film guide near the outlet thereof, a can holder rotatably mounted within said support, and a film can having a closed bottom but otherwise open throughout and having its side walls received within said holder and with the open end of the can facing the outlet of said film guide.

3. In combination with a projector frame providing a film rewind take-up having a guide which is twisted to bend the delivered portion of the film into a helical shape, a support member carried by said frame, a receptacle for continuous rotation upon said member exteriorly of said receptacle, and a can having a closed bottom but otherwise open throughout and having its side walls received within said receptacle and with the open end thereof facing toward the outlet of said guide to receive said film.

4. The structure of claim 3, in which said receptacle has a rear wall mounted upon said member for continuous rotation.

5. The structure of claim 3, in which said member is pivotally mounted for swinging movement for a limited distance downwardly and laterally to support said receptacle so that the open end of the can therein faces upwardly.

6. In combination with a projector frame having a film rewind take-up equipped with a guide which is twisted to bend the delivered portion of the film into a heli- 7 cal shape, a support arm pivotally mounted upon said frame for swinging movement toward said guide, a cuplike receptacle mounted upon said arm for continuous rotation and supported by said arm exteriorly of said receptacle, and a can having a closed bottom but otherwise open throughout and having its side Walls freely received References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Judd Mar. 28, 1922 Morloek June 29, 1937 Kleerup Apr. 12, 1938 Proch Jan. 24, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Oct. 22, 1952 

